08/02/2026
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𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗔 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀
🦶 Balance training plays an important role in rehabilitating adults with chronic ankle instability (CAI).
📘 A brand-new systematic review by Milton and colleagues analysed randomised controlled trials to identify which balance exercise parameters are most effective for improving pain, function, and perceived ankle stability. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41376274/)
📊 Across nine studies involving 342 participants, balance interventions were generally associated with improvements in self-reported function and feelings of stability, although pain outcomes did not differ significantly from comparison interventions.
📋 Programmes that were more successful tended to include a higher training volume, longer overall duration, and a wider variety of exercises (5 distinct types, 5 different exercises). Effective protocols typically lasted at least four weeks, were performed around three times per week for about 30 minutes per session, and included five or more exercises.
📉 Progression was commonly guided by the patient’s ability to perform tasks with good postural control.
✅ Overall, the findings support structured and progressive balance training as a key component of CAI rehabilitation.
The review identified several distinct balance types used in rehabilitation:
1️⃣ Static balance – Maintaining stability without movement.
2️⃣ Dynamic balance – Maintaining control while moving or during perturbations.
3️⃣ Single-leg / Double-leg balance – Tasks performed on one or both legs.
4️⃣Unstable surface balance – Training on unstable or compliant surfaces.
5️⃣ Eyes-closed balance – Reducing visual input to challenge proprioception.
6️⃣ Dual-task balance – Combining balance with another motor or cognitive task.
7️⃣ Reactive balance – Recovering stability after unexpected disturbances.